Desperately needed supplies for victims still trapped

Hello everyone. My name is John Watson. I am a resident of Asheville, a city in Western North Carolina that was ravaged by catastrophic flooding last week when Hurricane Helene ripped through our region, dumping 30” of rain after receiving 10” of rain just two days prior. Dams gave way to cataclysmic flash flooding that ripped away everything in its path. Roads are simply missing. Houses were swept away, never to be seen again. The loss of life is staggering. While the media only confirms the death of people that can be identified, the horror is that there are in-fact 1,000s of bodies unidentified. 1,000s still unfound and reports of over 11,000 missing. The communities in the farthest reaches of Appalachia are still trapped. The entirety of the western half of the state has been without power, water, food or cell service nearing a week.

The largest civilian effort in recorded history is underway, with countless volunteers delivering vital supplies to these communities via private helicopters.

When not in Asheville, I work in South Florida as a Flight Paramedic. I found myself safe during this tragedy, as I was down in Florida at work. My friends and family, however, are still largely unaccounted for.

I am creating this GoFundMe to raise money for critical supplies. My plan is to fill a cargo truck to the top with supplies from South Florida, and to drive them up to pre-determined locations where helicopters will be standing by to deliver these items.

If you can help me raise these funds, every cent will be itemized and accounted for.

We will be bringing:

Non-Perishable food

Water

Diapers

Formula

Life Straws

Gasoline (in tanks)

Clothing

StarLink GPS WiFi

Generators

If you cannot donate money, please consider donating these items along the I-95 / I-26 corridor en route to the mountains. We can stop to pick up supplies along the way. We hope to raise these funds rapidly and be ready to depart South Florida by this weekend.

Thank you all in advance for any help you can throw our way! We desperately need it!